SC Region Missionary

Statement: I am delighted to return to the South Central region of Connecticut to support and encourage the ways in which you are listening for and following God's mission of love for the world.

Bio: I am first and foremost a beloved child of God, as are you. I was working as a research biologist and environmental educator on the Eastern Shore of Maryland before pursuing ordination and attending Yale Divinity School (class of 2016). In this current time of ecological crisis I am moved by the invitation of Jesus to "love your neighbor" and to imagine how our liturgy can further incorporate Creation as our beloved neighbor. When I am not spending time in or around churches I can be found hiking with my energetic dog Frodo, birding, gardening, playing my Appalachian dulcimer, or baking (anything involving chocolate).

What is a Region Missionary?

The Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) has hired six people to serve as the inaugural ECCT Region Missionaries, one each for the six geographic Regions. Although each Region is unique, each Region Missionary’s core task is the same:

“To challenge the Episcopal parishes and worshiping communities to expand their reach into local neighborhoods by collaboration with potential community partners — from other faithbased institutions to social service organizations to government agencies.”

By virtue of our baptism we all are called to participate in God’s mission — restoring all people and the world to God in Christ (Book of Common Prayer, pg. 854) and engaging the Spirit’s regenerative power to reconcile differences and “…making all things new” (Rev. 21:5). The Region Missionary will serve parishes and worshiping communities by assisting Episcopalians in Connecticut to live our baptismal call to God’s mission in four ways, namely to:

Catalyze — with imagination, innovation, and ideas — to unite parishes, worshiping communities, and Ministry Networks in service to God’s mission within the Region and across ECCT.

Convene — as a host, to gather people, share ideas, and build momentum within the Region and its various communities and throughout ECCT.

Connect — Ministry Networks, parishes, and worshipping communities to build an awareness of and appreciation for collaboration in all aspects of life and ministry across the Region.

Expand Capabilities — with a particular focus on lay leadership — through the sacred practices of prayer, discernment, trying on missional experiments, and growing as disciples (formed) and apostles (sent) to fully engage God’s mission.

The role and ministry of the Region Missionary is to challenge parishes and worshiping communities to expand their reach into local neighborhoods by collaborating with potential community partners — from other faithbased institutions to social service organizations to government agencies. It is expected that the Region Missionaries will work together as a close-knit team, upholding each other in prayer, shared retreats, and other spiritual/ wisdom practices.

The Region Missionary reports to the Bishop Diocesan and is directly managed by the Canon for Mission Collaboration. Quarterly goals shall be established and an annual job performance review conducted. In addition, the Region Missionary, with colleagues from the Region, will participate in an annual Mutual Ministry Review with the Bishop Diocesan, facilitated by the Canon for Mission Collaboration.